How it’s going to be
The F-16 issue is only partially about the F-16s, of course. That Washington was unimpressed – and therefore, again unhappy – and was clear enough when the ‘do more’ reappeared after Islamabad failed to get the Taliban to talk. But it’s not just that Congress is up in arms that ought to worry Pakistan; rather it’s that the White House is silent that should get some people in Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, to think hard and fast. Richard Olson did his best to sell Pakistan’s difficult case, but even he hit a brick wall on the matter of the Haqqanis, etc.
The immediate future, therefore, is pretty certain. Unless Islamabad moves on the “some specific actions” that US lawmakers have demanded, they will not be comfortable tying more of their taxpayer money to our F-16 subsidy. That’s just how it is going to be from now on. Pakistan’s utility has clearly diminished since it proved unable to get the talks rolling. And since the need for our airbases and land routes has long since expired, if we can’t deliver in favour of the peace then we’re little good for them in the present setting.
This particular domino effect was triggered in Kabul. Frustrated with the back-and-forth about the Taliban engaging in talks, Ghani finally pulled the plug on Pakistan and its role in the peace process. Then it was only a matter of time before Washington’s favourite ‘do more’ came into play; and it did quickly enough. Our foreign policy gurus meantime, clueless as they have been for years, remain optimistic for unexplained reasons. And while the ministry’s detachment from reality is understandable to an extent – considering it’s without a minister – it’s still not clear why the prime minister chose to leave it rudderless. There is no chain of command, there is nobody lobbying Pakistan’s case at Capitol Hill, and the man supposedly in charge (the prime minister) is up to his neck in politics of survival. That Pakistan is losing the plot is largely its own fault.
A clear negligence on part a Prime Minister who is working on his personal matters relating to highly immoral financial personal indescritions.
Our foreign Ministry Gurus may not be clueless as says the Editorial. The US is famous for 'not forgetting' even after half a century. Dr Mosaddeq, the former PM of Iran was removed in 1953 for not toeching their chain. Pakistan was threatened to turn to 'stone age' if opposed to their attack on Afghanistan, even if not one Afghani was involved in 9/11. They dictate smaller countries to toe their chain, specially when in need of something like F-16. When Israel was carpet bombing the neighboring Arab countries, it was reminded to them that they are using American Warplanes to kill innocent men,women and children. " They are NOT Ameridcan planes – they are Israeli planes" Isaq Robin, the Israel PM said. Conditions apply to countries like Pakistan only.
This person who calls himself "neutral" is a supporter of the TTP and Taliban… he justifies their killing of innocent civilians by saying they are retaliating against the oppression of the west?… his anti American diatribe is well known and he blames the west for all problems in the Muslim world… his hate filled negativity about anything western has been brainwashed into him by religious extremists…
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